The achievement is the icing on the cake for the former Junior Stockmen who had his best season yet in the NRL.

Season 2014 saw him selected for the NSW Blues and Australian Kangaroos train-on squads as well as captaining the Green Machine to three consecutive wins in the final games of the season.

To make it even better, he recently bought his first home, all before his 24th birthday yesterday.

“It’s obviously not something I came here expecting coming here tonight,” Croker had told Raiders Media after winning the award.

“I’m very proud and excited to win such a prestigious medial.”

Croker had earned the award with 20 votes, beating David Shillington on 18 and two time medal winner Shaun Fensom on 17 votes.

It comes after being announced in the Australian Kangaroos train-on squad with fellow Raiders Anthony Milford, Josh Papalii and Jack Wighton. Croker said being selected was a “nice little accolade” for the year he’s had.

He also finished the season as the NRL’s third highest point scorer for 2014 on 202 points.

The Cowboys’ Jonathan Thurston finished on top with 208 points with the Rooster’s James Maloney on 207.

Croker thanked the people from Goulburn after he won the award.

“Being from Goulburn I get a lot of people to the games, mum and dad, my partner Brittney and the other 5000 people who come up for games on the bus,” he said.

“It’s always been about family and friends for me. I’m glad they’re here tonight to celebrate with me.”

Crookwell’s Lachlan Croker also took out the Gordon McLucas Memorial Junior Representative Player of the Year award.

Although he shares the same surname as Jarrod, the pair are un-related despite their shared flare for football.

The 17-year-old Croker was selected as half-back for the Junior NSW Blues origin side this year.